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Hepatitis A in the Kennebunk Area  (11/7/2008)
Hepatitis A is an uncommon disease in Maine. An average of 11 cases are identified in Maine each year. More

Rubella on Cruise Ship  (10/28/2008)
On October 18, 2008 a crew member of a cruise ship had onset of fever and rash. The illness was subsequently confirmed to be rubella. The ship visited Bar Harbor on October 15 and October 19. More

Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Massachusetts  (10/27/2008)
On October 22, 2008, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) was notified of a Massachusetts resident who tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). More

Portland Prepares for Annual Fall Flu Prevention Clinics!   (10/9/2008)
The City of Portland's Public Health Division will offer a series of eight influenza (flu) vaccination clinics throughout Portland between October 23 and November 18, 2008. More

New Epidemiology Data Now Available  (10/6/2008)
New epidemiology data now available for Cumberland and York Counties. More

Mosquitoes in Arundel Test Positive for EEE  (10/9/2008)
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) within the Maine DHHS is reporting that a pool of mosquitoes, collected on September 30, 2008 from the town of Arundel in York County, has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). More

Cumberland Farms Joins the “NO BUTS” Program  (10/7/2008)
The program provides retailers with the materials they need to properly train employees to prevent underage tobacco sales, while stressing the underlying compelling health reasons for restricting sales of tobacco to teens. More

Maine's Immunization Coalition Decries State's Immunization Rates  (10/2/2008)
Maine falls from #1 in the country to the lowest ranking in the New England Region. More

Smoke-free Ordinance for Outdoor Dining Goes into Effect Friday  (10/2/2008)
Businesses, public health leaders and city officials join together in support of keeping air healthy. More

Latest CDC Data Show More Americans Report Being Obese  (7/17/2008)
The proportion of U.S. adults who self-report they are obese increased nearly 2 percent between 2005 and 2007, according to a report in today′s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). More

Help us help you!  (6/3/2008)
Help the Public Health Division focus its efforts on the health problems in your community by participating in our Municipal Health Survey. More

FoodBorne Illness UnderReported Nationwide  (4/7/2008)
For every one case of salmoneliosis (a common foodborne illness) reported, there are an estimated 38 that go unreported. More

Adults Lack Vaccination Awareness  (3/20/2008)
Despite the proven effectiveness of vaccines and their potential to save thousands of U.S. lives every year, American adults are receiving needed immunizations at alarmingly low rates. More

The Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Annual Report is now Available.  (2/19/2008)
The Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Annual Report for the Portland Public Health Division is now available for public viewing. More

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Homeless Health Care
Portland Community Free Clinic

The Street and Free Clinic provides primary and specialty services to residents of the Greater Portland area who cannot afford to pay for their own health care. Through the Health Care for the Homeless Clinic (HCHC) and the Portland Community Free Clinic (PCFC), homeless and uninsured individuals can seek quality primary, specialty, mental health and substance abuse services from dedicated, community providers. Both clinics collaborate with other city-sponsored and private organizations to assist a vulnerable population in accessing the health care system.

Homeless Health Care
The Health Care for the Homeless Program, offering health care services to persons who are homeless, is part of the Indigent Care Program managed by the Public Health Division (PHD). The center provides services ranging from primary care check-ups to immunization and testing. Referrals to specialists also are made as necessary. Mental health and substance abuse services are also available.

In addition to the primary service delivery location at 20 Portland Street, the program offers services from three other sites: the Preble Street Teen Center; The Barron Center (city-owned long term care facility); and the streets of Portland and other areas where homeless individuals congregate. All delivery sites are within the limits of the City of Portland. For more information call 874-8445.

Faces of Maine's Safety Net - A photo essay produced by the Maine Primary Care Association. A series of essays describing the role of Maine's Primary Care Safety Net through the images and voices of its patients.